Routine awning cleaning is essential to ensure it remains in good condition and provides shade and weather protection for many years to come. Cleaning your contemporary awning at the beginning and end of the summer season can also decrease any health risks posed by dirty awnings, as well as create an outdoor space ready for entertaining and relaxing with friends.
Discover how to clean an awning to keep it in pristine condition and increase its lifespan with our expert tips below, plus find answers to all of your awning cleaning FAQs.
How to clean an awning in 4 simple steps
When it comes to cleaning awnings, it’s important to first look at the cleaning instructions from your fabric manufacturer to see if the fabric of your awning requires a different cleaning technique. Some awnings might also need to be re-coated with water-resistant and mildew-resisting solutions to ensure they stay waterproof.
For the vast majority of awnings, you can follow this simple 4-step cleaning technique:
1. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water
Use warm soapy water and a cloth to gently wipe the awning fabric and frame clean. For tough stains, consider using a specialised awning shampoo or an organic stain remover. Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals to prevent damage to the fabric.
2. Lightly scrub the fabric
Gently remove the dirt with a soft-bristled brush. It’s important to avoid vigorous scrubbing on the fabric and frame, even if the dirt is particularly stubborn, as this will cause scratches and long-term damage. Instead, allow the soap to do the heavy lifting
3. Let the fabric dry naturally
Ensure the fabric is fully dried before rolling and storing your awning for an extended period. This helps to avoid moisture accumulation in the bracket, in turn preventing mildew and rust issues. We recommend cleaning patio awnings on a sunny day to allow the fabric to dry naturally.
4. Refresh the waterproof layer with a waterproofing spray
A specifically designed waterproofing spray is key in awning cleaning. These sprays can help you refresh the waterproof layer of your awning by repelling any water and preventing any potential rot or mildew formation. Our team of experts can advise you on the best products for cleaning your awning.
How to remove stains from an awning
While retractable awnings require less frequent maintenance compared to fixed awnings, both awning styles are at risk of stains. When extended, awnings can be exposed to fruit from trees, algae, and mildew. Many leaves also have tannins and oils that can seep into the fabric of your awning and damage your canopy.
You can remove stains on your awning with a specialised awning shampoo or an organic stain remover; consider allowing the product to soak for around half an hour before washing and rinsing carefully – maybe even repeating the process. If you see any leaves on your awning, it’s best to remove them as soon as possible to prevent damage to the fabric.
Awning cleaning FAQs
Working out how to clean an awning can often be confusing. That’s why our knowledgeable team of experts have provided a list of answers to the most common FAQs below:
How often should I clean my awning?
The best time to clean your awning is at the beginning and end of the summer season, as this is the time you’ll likely be using your awning the most. Cleaning your awning at the start of summer will remove any accumulated dirt from the winter, while cleaning it at the end of summer will help prevent damage while it’s rolled up during the winter months.
For year-round use of your canopy, we recommend choosing a retractable awning, like those at Open Space Concepts. Our electric awnings, for example, are made using only the highest quality materials and can be extended and retracted by pressing a button. This not only makes them suitable for year-round use, but makes them easier to clean and protect.
Why is awning cleaning important?
Regardless of the style of your awning, regular cleaning is highly recommended to extend the lifespan of the product. Over time, awnings are subjected to harsh temperature changes and rain. They are also exposed to substances that can potentially stain or discolour the fabric, like airborne pollutants, grease, bird droppings, dirt, insects, tree pitch, and leaf tannins.
While rain may help wash away some of these elements, there is still the chance that dirt can penetrate the weave and cause mould growth. Damp awning covers can also increase the chance of fabric mildew forming. Manually cleaning your awning then, helps decrease health risks posed by exposure to the elements, and keeps your awning in pristine condition.
Can I jet wash my awning?
It might be tempting to use a jet washer to clean your awning. However, a pressure washer can actually tear or damage the awning fabric of your canopy. Even if your awning is made from durable material, jet washing your awning runs the risk of destroying the fabric, stripping the paint, and denting the metal frame.
Because of this, we advise hand washing your awning for optimal results. Instead of a jet washer, you can clean your awning using warm soapy water, a cloth, a soft-bristled brush, and a spray bottle or garden house. Awning stains can be removed with an organic stain remover or specialised awning shampoo.
Choose Open Space Concepts for high-quality awnings that require little maintenance
At Open Space Concepts, we have the most comprehensive product range in the outdoor living sector – and awnings are one of our most popular items.
Our state-of-the-art range of modern awnings are perfect for any space, and are crafted using only the highest quality materials so require very little maintenance. You also get a great degree of customisability when you buy an awning from us, with over 250 patterns and colours to choose from and a range of smart additional features.
To explore our range of awnings and see which type would be best for your outdoor space, get in touch with our expert team today.
